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Response to Katrina may impact President Bush's legacy
The Dallas Morning News ^ | ROBERT HILLMAN

Posted on 09/02/2005 6:38:55 PM PDT by jmc1969

Blistered by stinging criticism that his administration has failed in its hurricane relief efforts, President Bush faces a new political threat that could further erode his leadership and tarnish his legacy.

His job approval ratings are at record lows for his presidency. And analysts said they will surely dip deeper because of the administration's public struggle to deal with the chaos after Hurricane Katrina.

Democratic critics have charged that Bush's determination to curb spending and implement sweeping tax cuts siphoned funds for levee improvements in New Orleans, among other projects.

For instance, in this fiscal year, the administration cut a $27 million request for hurricane-protection projects around Lake Pontchartrain to just under $4 million

"The president is destroying the fabric of America with a combined policy of war, tax cuts for the wealthy and reductions in spending for domestic needs," said Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y.

"He doesn't instinctively know what he should do in these circumstances," Sabato said, noting that it took Bush a day or so to mount a full-blown public response to the 9-11 terrorism attacks four years ago.

Democratic critics had launched a pre-emptive strike, led by the Congressional Black Caucus, which charged Bush with neglect.

"To the president of the United States, I simply say that God cannot be pleased with our response," said Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md.

Responding to earlier suggestions that the administration's efforts lagged in New Orleans because many of the residents are black and poor, White House press secretary Scott McClellan said "such allegations are baseless and absurd."

Nonetheless, such assertions already have triggered a national debate that at the very least could crimp the Republican Party's outreach to minorities.

..the Bush administration's response already could be an impediment on the president's "ability to govern" and a lasting blemish on his legacy.

(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bush43; bushlegacy; katrina
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To: ncountylee

I don't know about gay, but he is wearing the worst looking rug I've seen in a while.


81 posted on 09/03/2005 6:52:42 AM PDT by Fresh Wind
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To: jmc1969

"The president is destroying the fabric of America with a combined policy of war, tax cuts for the wealthy and reductions in spending for domestic needs," said Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y. "

Nanny-State Democrats. Other than pre-born babies, and any disaster between 1992 and 2000, the President is responsible for all human suffering. Maybe he could blame it on Fundamentalist White Christians like Clinton did after OKC.

'What Constitution!?!?'


82 posted on 09/03/2005 6:52:49 AM PDT by sayfer bullets
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To: GraniteStateConservative
afterward. They care about why Bush hasn't come to the rescue of those people with the power of the entire federal government

Of course that fact that you are a hysteric Bush Hater who has long history here on FR of posting nothing but emotionally hysteric slams at the President should in no way raise questions in our minds about your intellectual objectivity or honesty now should it? We should just ignore your history of Bush Hate and take your feeling on this issue seriously. Doesn't matter what you knee jerk Bush haters FEEL, we are STILL a Nation of laws. The President has to FOLLOW the law no matter what you Bush haters FEEL he should do. Since you refuse to put your political bigotry on hold in the face of this disaster, I will explain it to you ONCE.

The City of NO has the responsibility. IF they CANNOT cope they ask the STATE for help. IF the STATE cannot deal, it asks the FEDS for help. As of Sat Sept 3rd, the Blanco Gov of Louisiana has STILL not asked for FEDERAL troops to restore order in NO.

Despite the breaching of the levees on TUESDAY and the growing unrest in NO, the 1st responders from FEMA and the Louisana NG were sent in Wed UNARMED by Gov Blanco. Why was it not until Thursday Afternoon that Gov Blanco sent in a mere 300 Armed NG troops to restore order in NO?

I know it REALLY bothers you Bush Haters to actually have to THINK but the facts are going to come right around and bite you morons on the butt AGAIN when this is all done.

83 posted on 09/03/2005 7:13:17 AM PDT by MNJohnnie ( Why will Louisiana Governor Blanco NOT ask Bush for Marines and Army Troops????)
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To: jmc1969

What the left doesn't understand is that Bush does not care for what people perceive his legacy to be (unlike President Clinton).....Bush only cares about what the Good Lord thinks....


84 posted on 09/03/2005 7:14:59 AM PDT by PigRigger (Send donations to http://www.AdoptAPlatoon.org)
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To: MizSterious; Tiger Smack
Finally, FEMA is not responsible for the criminal behavior of the projects denizens. Blame that one on generations of the welfare state. FEMA (and any rescuer for that matter) should not have to try to rescue people or deliver aid if they're under fire from the criminals.

Add to this the fact that the City of NO has the responsbility for the physical security of the FEMA teams. IF they can NOT meet that obligation, they are suppose to TELL the STate they need additional Law and NG support. So either Nagel did NOT ask, or Blanco did NOT send the support. Finally ON Thursday Blanco send a pitiful 300 ARMED troops to NO. But of course, the hysteric Bush haters will not let ANY reality get in the way of their Bush Hate vomiting.

85 posted on 09/03/2005 7:17:50 AM PDT by MNJohnnie ( Why will Louisiana Governor Blanco NOT ask Bush for Marines and Army Troops????)
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To: MNJohnnie

I'll just say LOL. Because that was a hilarious post.


86 posted on 09/03/2005 7:20:45 AM PDT by GraniteStateConservative (...He had committed no crime against America so I did not bring him here...-- Worst.President.Ever.)
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To: jmc1969; All

The MSM is full of feces.

GW Bush basically had to step in and BECOME the local government.

The legacy: In the face of a LYING THEIF CORRUPT MAYOR and a PARALYZED INCOMPETENT GOVERNOR GWBush stepped his people into place and TOOK OVER DOING THEIR JOB.

His legacy? Sure the legacy of a person who filled a leadership vacume.


87 posted on 09/03/2005 7:23:16 AM PDT by longtermmemmory (VOTE!)
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To: jmc1969

I'm so tired of this. This President has endured atleast two tragedies now that no other President has had to deal with. No one is perfect. I think he's done fine.


88 posted on 09/03/2005 7:24:33 AM PDT by knak (The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing)
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To: MNJohnnie

Oh, and that Bush doesn't need permission to send NG troops to NO.


89 posted on 09/03/2005 7:25:06 AM PDT by GraniteStateConservative (...He had committed no crime against America so I did not bring him here...-- Worst.President.Ever.)
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To: GraniteStateConservative

It is reasonable the leader of the goverment of LA and the leader of the mayor of NO has the ability to LEAD.

Democrats have a serious leadership ABILITY vacume.

Bill Clinton could not lead
Al Gore could not lead
J. Kerry could not lead

Howard Dean is a court jester not a leader.

Democrats have a very serious problem if more people realize this.


90 posted on 09/03/2005 7:31:04 AM PDT by longtermmemmory (VOTE!)
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To: GraniteStateConservative

Question for the Bush hypercritics. Why are things going so well every but N.O. in this Disaster relief effort? Might it JUST happen to be that the failure of the local and State authorities to ruthlessly restore order, as virtually ever "Right wing" commentator was urging TUESDAY, have anything to do with it?


91 posted on 09/03/2005 8:00:07 AM PDT by MNJohnnie ( Why will Louisiana Governor Blanco NOT ask Bush for Marines and Army Troops????)
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To: angcat

There are a few of the presstitutes I would like to give a piece of my mind as well...


92 posted on 09/03/2005 8:23:13 AM PDT by RasterMaster (Saddam's family were WMD's - He's behind bars & his sons are DEAD!)
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To: GraniteStateConservative; IronMan04; All
Some good news in this morning's Presidential Radio Address

During my visit I discussed these problems at length with Governor Riley of Alabama, Governor Barbour of Mississippi, Governor Blanco of Louisiana and Mayor Nagin of New Orleans. Each state will have its own set of challenges and issues to solve. Yet all of us agree that more can be done to improve our ability to restore order and deliver relief in a timely and effective manner. This morning I received a briefing on the latest developments on the ground. Right now there are more than 21,000 National Guard troops operating in Louisiana and Mississippi, and more are on the way. More than 13,000 of these troops are in Louisiana. The main priority is to restore and maintain law and order, and assist in recovery and evacuation efforts. In addition to these National Guard forces, the Department of Defense has deployed more than 4,000 active duty forces to assist in search and recovery, and provide logistical and medical support. Hour by hour, the situation on the ground is improving. Yet the enormity of the task requires more resources and more troops. Today I ordered the Department of Defense to deploy additional active duty forces to the region. Over the next 24 to 72 hours, more than 7,000 additional troops from the 82nd Airborne, from the 1st Cavalry, the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, and the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force will arrive in the affected areas. These forces will be on the ground and operating under the direct command of General Russ Honore.

Thank you GOD for this man. Slapped sense into the Louisiana Democrats that they NEED US Combat troops there. Bet you anything the forces mentioned above do NOT end up anywhere in Alabama or Mississippi. What an amazing contrast to the 3 days of hysteria , posturing and finger pointing from the Dems leadership.

93 posted on 09/03/2005 8:39:30 AM PDT by MNJohnnie (If you try to be smarter, I will try to be nicer.)
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